Ninh Binh Tourism - Discover the fabulous beauty of the Ancient Capital

Let's explore with Etrip4u the interesting things when traveling to Ninh Binh through this article.

1. General introduction about Ninh Binh tourist destination

Ninh Binh is a province located in the south of the Red River Delta, Vietnam, known as Ha Long Bay on the mainland. This place is famous for its natural landscape including majestic limestone mountains, mysterious caves, and extremely poetic rivers.

Coming to Ninh Binh, you will have the opportunity to explore the richness of the historical cultural heritage and unique cuisine. This place owns the extremely famous Trang An scenic complex, recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage - a picture of magical convergence of mountains and natural rivers. In addition, you can explore caves and temples like Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, etc. with extremely interesting specialties such as crispy rice, Ninh Binh Mountain goat, Yen Mac spring rolls and Mountain snail.

2. Which season should you travel to Ninh Binh?

Ninh Binh is a province that can be visited all year round, each season has its own beauty. This place has a tropical monsoon climate, divided into 4 distinct seasons: spring - summer - autumn - winter. The best season to travel to Ninh Binh is fall (from September to November) or spring (from January to March).

• Spring (January to March): The weather is cool, pleasant, less rain, suitable for sightseeing, climbing and nature exploration activities. In this season, you can also participate in vibrant traditional celebrations such as Bai Dinh Pagoda festival, Thai Vi Temple festival, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital traditional festival, etc.
• Fall (September to November): Mild climate, blue sky, fresh air. This is the season when lotus blooms, creating a poetic and romantic scene. You can visit lotus ponds such as Tam Coc, Thung Nham, Van Long, etc. enjoying some specialties from lotus flowers.

3. Famous tourist places or sightseeing destinations in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is known as "Ha Long Bay on the mainland" with majestic, poetic natural landscapes, rich historical and cultural heritage. Below are some famous tourist destinations and attractions when traveling to Ninh Binh that you should not miss:

• Trang-An Scenic Complex: A world cultural and natural heritage recognized by UNESCO. Trang An is famous for its system of caves, limestone mountains and rivers interwoven creating a beautiful natural scenery. Tourists can visit the place by boat and be a witness of mysterious caves and majestic natural scenery.
• Tam Coc - Bich Dong: This place is like "Ha Long Bay on the mainland" with rivers passing through limestone mountains. Tourists coming here can visit by boat, watch the ripen golden rice fields and mysterious caves.
• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Hoa Lu Capital was the capital of the Dinh - Le dynasties in Vietnamese history. This place also preserves many historical relics such as King Dinh Tien Hoang's temple, King Le Dai Hanh's temple, King Dinh Tien Hoang's tomb,etc.
• Bai Dinh Pagoda: The largest pagoda in Vietnam with many established records. Bai Dinh Pagoda attracts tourists with its exceptional architecture, magnificent landscape, and pure ambience.
• Cuc Phuong National Park: This place possesses a diverse ecosystem with many rare flora and fauna species. Tourists can participate in trekking activities, exploring the forests, and learning about nature.
• Mua Cave: This place is famous for 500m high of Mua Mountain Peak. The tourists can enjoy a fabulous panoramic view of Tam Coc - Bich Dong.
• Thung Nham Bird Garden: This place is a home to thousands of rare birds. Tourists can visit by boat, watch flocks of birds flying around and enjoy the freshness of air.
• Van Long Lagoon: This place is a nature reserve with a system of caves, limestone mountains and rivers interwoven creating a beautiful natural panorama. Tourists can visit by boat, contemplate mysterious caves and majestic natural scenery.

Futhermore, Ninh Binh has many other attractive tourist and sightseeing destinations such as Tuyet Tinh Coc, Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, Thung Nang eco-tourism area, Dong Giao eco-tourism area, eco-tourism area Kenh Giai, etc.

4. Ninh Binh cuisine and dishes that tourists should not miss

Ninh Binh is not only famous for its beautiful landscapes but also attracts tourists with its rich and diverse cuisines. Below are some specialties that tourists should not miss when traveling to Ninh Binh:

• Crispy rice: The dish is made with crispy roasted glutinous rice grains, then dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce. Ninh Binh crispy rice has a delicious flavor, it is a finger food, and it is very easy to eat.
• Mountain goat: Ninh Binh Mountain goat meat is known as "the most delicious goat" of Vietnam. Ninh Binh mountain goat meat is sweet, good fragrant, and very tender. Ninh Binh mountain goat can be processed into many delicious dishes such as grilled goat, grilled goat with lemon, stewed goat, etc.
• Nem Chua Yen Mac: Nem Chua Yen Mac is a famous specialty dish of Ninh Binh. Nem Chua Yen Mac is made with pork, rice, and mixed with spices. Nem Chua Yen Mac has different tastes such as sweet and sour taste, salty, spicy yet all are very delicious.
• Eel Vermicelli: The dish is made with vermicelli, eel, dried bamboo shoots and spices. Ninh Binh eel vermicelli has a sweet, delicious, and very nutritious flavor.
• Spider Fish Salad: The dish is composed of mud fish, rice, roasted peanuts, and spices. Ninh Binh mussel fish salad has a sweet and sour taste, it is fresh and very tasty.
• Kim Son Wine: Kim Son wine is a famous black sticky rice wine of Ninh Binh. Kim Son wine has a sweet, mild taste and it is very simple to drink.
• Gia Vien Shrimp Sauce: Gia Vien shrimp sauce is a famous shrimp sauce of Ninh Binh. Gia Vien shrimp paste has a salty, delicious, and very tasty. Gia Vien shrimp paste can be dipped in raw vegetables, boiled meat, fish stew, etc.

5. Means of transportation at Ninh Binh tourist area

Below are some forms of transportation when traveling in Ninh Binh that you can refer to:

- Move to Ninh Binh

• Train: Ninh Binh Station is located on the North-South railway line, with many trains from Hanoi, Saigon, and other provinces to Ninh Binh. This station serves train passengers who need to travel across provinces and cities across the country.
• Passenger car: There are many reputable bus companies operating routes from Hanoi, Da Nang, etc. to Ninh Binh with ticket prices ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 VND (5 – 9 USD) per trip. Depending on your geographical distance, the bus ticket prices are subject to change.
• Motorbike: If you are an adventurer and would like to explore the beautiful scenery on the way to Ninh Binh, a motorbike is the most reasonable option means of transportation. Riding a motorbike helps you to manage your time as well as the location. In addition, extra activities on the road are easier and more convenient.

- Moving in Ninh Binh

• Motorbike: This is the most popular means of transportation in Ninh Binh. Tourists can rent motorbikes at hotels, motels or restaurants with ticket prices ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 VND (5 – 9 USD) for one day use.
• Bicycle: Using a bicycle to go around is a good way to explore the peaceful village roads and enjoy the fresh air of Ninh Binh. You can also rent bicycles at affordable prices in resort areas.
• Taxi: Taxi is a convenient means of transportation yet with a higher fare compared to other transportations. Tourists can call taxi at tourist attractions or use applications such as Grab and Gojek.

6. Ninh Binh Travel Costs

The cost of traveling to Ninh Binh will depend on many considerations like the travel time, quantity of people traveling, travel style and tourist needs.

• Accommodation costs: Affordable rooms in Ninh Binh usually range from 300,000 to 700,000 VND (14 to 33 USD), high standard hotels will be more expensive. Tourists can choose homestay to save costs.
• Food costs: For meals during the day, you may spend from 150,000 to 300,000 VND (7 – 14 USD) a day for popular dishes. Places like restaurants and 3 or 4 - star hotels, you will have to spend higher amount of money as expected.
• Sightseeing and entertainment costs: Since Ninh Binh a very famous destination sightseeing, exploration, and entertainment activities are more expensive compared to other places, you may have to pay from 100,000 to 400,000 VND (5 – 19 USD).

Currently, Ninh Binh tours at Etrip4u prices are ranging from 38 USD to 150 USD. This price depends on the number of travel days, specific destination, and other services. Normally, tours to explore Trang An and Bai Dinh are quite affordable, which is around 50 USD. However, adventure tours and cave exploration tours have different prices.

Some Ninh Binh tours that tourists can refer to include: 

• Tour Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Cycling 1D From Hanoi (Shuttle Bus)
• Tour Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Mua Cave - Cycling 1D From Hanoi (Shuttle Bus)
• Tour Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu Tam Coc Cuc Phuong 2D1N From Hanoi

7. Things that tourists need to remember when coming to Ninh Binh Province

Some important things that tourists need to remember when having a trip to Ninh Binh:

• Prepare personal items: weather - appropriate clothing, umbrellas and raincoats, sunscreen, hats.
• Respect culture: Tourists need to choose decent outfits when visiting historical and cultural sites.
• Maintain environmental hygiene: You should throw the trash, any plastic or biodegradable wastes in its proper place to protect the ecological environment of Ninh Binh.

With the information fully compiled above, we wish you a happy and unforgettable trip to Ninh Binh. Journeying with Etrip4u, we assure you of an enchanting yet wonderful discovery experiences of the beautiful ancient capital.